Farms and wineries are opening the gates this weekend for holiday visits and shopping along the Sierra Oro Farm Trail.

The holiday farm stomp comes on the heels of the successful fall event where 28 local agribusinesses hosted tours and treats.

But farming is seasonal and some farms on the tour have fresh products coming off the land right now.

Also, people in the area are looking for unique gifts, maybe even something grown in the area, so the timing for farm visits is prime.

Citrus, for example, has just recently been harvested at Morse Farms — www.morsemandarinfarms.com — in Oroville. At the event in October, the family sold marmalade, syrup and meat rub, but the fruit wasn't ready.

Mount Ida Mandarin Farms, also in Oroville, will have fresh citrus for gift-giving.

Several olive oil producers in the area are enjoying the crush of "olio nuovo," a specialty of foodies who like the intense flavor of the first press of olive harvest.

Lodestar California Olive Oil — www.lodestarfarms.com — is offering etched bottles filled with the oil from olives picked and pressed when green. The bottles are signed and numbered by producer Jamie Johansson.

Olio nuovo is stronger than the mellowed oil available throughout the remainder of the year.

During the tour, olive oil producer Lewis Johnson of Butte View Olive Oil in Oroville, plans to run his olive press, although he is almost sold out of product.

Calolea Olive Oil in Bangor — http://calolea.com — is also a new addition to the Sierra Oro Farm Trail members.

The group's website, sierraoro.org, has a flier people can print out like coupons for special offers. Click on "holiday weekend" on the website and then scroll to the bottom.

Shoppers with local food-friendly families or gift-worthy clients will see specials on purchases by the case for wine and olive oil, and dollars off on other purchases.

The Sierra Oro Farm Tour began several years ago with the printing of a map of locations that welcome visitors. This grew to an annual farm tour in October.

The goal is to host more events seasonally, and eventually throughout the year.

Tour organizer Nicole Johansson said this winter tour was sparked through a suggestion of citrus growers. Those who had time to prepare were added to the itinerary. The hope is that it will be a success and with more lead time the list will grow next year.

Eight wineries will have special discounts with the printed flyer. Regular tasting charges apply, usually $5. The list includes: Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards in Chico; Gale Vineyard in Durham; Grey Fox Vineyards in Oroville; Hickman Family Vineyards in Bangor; HoneyRun Winery in Chico; LaRocca Vineyards in Chico; Long Creek Winery and Ranch in Oroville; and New Clairvaux Vineyard in Vina.

Johansson said the presence of the Sierra Oro Farm Tour online and with Facebook connections has helped spread the word. When a new event is advertised, each farm in the group can rebroadcast the information.

Staff writer Heather Hacking can be reached at 896-7758, hhacking@chicoer.com, and followed on Twitter @HeatherHacking.

Free farm tours this weekend

Several local farms and wineries on the Sierra Oro Farm Trail will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering special sampling, discounts and a peek at the agricultural world. For full details, go to sierraoro.org.

Local goodies giveaway

Each of the farms on the winter tour, and several more on the fall farm tour, will be donating products for gift basket giveaways. Entry forms will be on the Enterprise-Record, chicoer.com, website this week, (click on the ad at the top of the page). A printed entry form will also appear today through Sunday).

Bus tours of farms on the way

Coming in January, people will have a chance to make a day of it on the Sierra Oro Farm Trail, by loading up with their friends on a farm trail bus.

Trail organizer Nicole Johansson said they'll start small, and do one bus-load a month on Saturdays. One tour will be of north county farms, and another Saturday with farms in south Butte County.

The cost will be $40 and include a tour at each stop.

The idea has potential for local producers, to boost local consumption as well as attracting people from outside the area, she said.

To watch for the first tour, check at the website: sierraoro.org, or sign up online for the email newsletter, Johansson said.